The U.S. dollar was slightly higher against the euro and the British pound Monday, despite diminished hopes for higher U.S. interest rates. The dollar finished weaker last week, although comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Gov. Donald Kohn on Friday the Fed's focus on inflation helped the U.S. currency regain some lost ground. Prospects for higher interest rates -- one means of combating inflation -- tend to make a currency more attractive to investors. The dollar rose earlier in the year on such hopes.